DART partnership gives Dallas drivers new reason to ditch their cars

DART partnership gives Dallas drivers new reason to ditch their cars

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has formed a new partnership with the ridesharing app Lyft that gives North Texas travelers another way to begin, continue, or end their trip. Lyft, a mobile app launched in June 2012 that connects passengers in need of a ride with nearby drivers, joins other DART partners such as the car sharing service ZipCar and the ridesharing app Uber.

These collaborations make it easier for travelers who begin or end their trips in places not easily served by DART to use a train or bus for the longest portion of their excursion. Transit agencies across the country are trying to solve the “first mile/last mile” riddle.

“We’re pleased to work with Lyft. Our customers want choices,” says DART president and executive director Gary Thomas in a release. “Lyft is a great way to help them begin or end their trip if they’re not right next to a DART stop or station.”

When people have reliable, affordable alternatives to driving alone, they’re more likely to leave their cars at home, says Emily Castor, Lyft’s director of transportation policy.

“Many passengers already use Lyft to get the last mile to or from transit stations, and we’re excited to partner with a forward-thinking agency like DART to make that even easier for Dallas residents,” she says.

In cities across the country, 25 percent of Lyft passengers use the platform to connect to public transit. By closing the gap between transit stations and the doorstep, Lyft expands mobility for all and makes DART easier than ever to reach.

The Lyft app is available for iPhone or Android. Once a request is made, a driver picks up the customer at their location within minutes. All payment is handled through the app using a saved credit card.

The Lyft app can be accessed through DART’s GoPass mobile ticketing application in the “Travel Tools” section. Just select “Connect 2 Car” in that section.

As an introductory offer, DART customers can get $5 off their first 10 Lyft rides by using the promotional code “DART” in the payment section of the app when requesting a ride.

Transit customers can use the GoPass app to plan a transit trip and purchase a DART pass before arriving at the station or stop.